Backley and Lewis top athletes' poll

Steve Backley with his second Olympic silver

Steve Backley and Denise Lewis have been crowned athletes of the year at UK Athletics' annual awards dinner.

Olympic javelin silver medallist Backley was a surprise choice for the men's award - he took the prize ahead of triple jumper Jonathan Edwards, who was the only British man to win a track and field gold at Sydney 2000.

But Lewis was always going to be favourite for the women's award, having claimed Olympic gold in a thrilling heptathlon competition.

Denise Lewis: Sydney superstar

Lewis finished ahead of 800 metres bronze medal winner Kelly Holmes in the poll of athletes.

Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lloyd Upsdell were named Paralympic athletes of the year.

Grey-Thompson, 31, won four gold medals in Sydney at 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.

And Upsdell completed the sprint double with world record times in Sydney.